All My Stuff (Before)

Well. Here I go again.

Trying to get the house cleaned and de-cluttered. But, I have mostly been moving piles. Boxes full of magazines. Stacks of books. Half-finished projects shoved into boxes. Boxes stacked in chairs. Half the dining table piled with mail, newspaper clippings, recipes, a couple of books.

~sigh~

I'm posting this picture of a corner in the garage. It's the "before" photo to keep me honest. It's also a Start. It may take a while (it will definitely take some time!), but there will be an "after" photo. Making room. Organizing.  De-Cluttering. Donating. Dumping. Getting my shit together.

Making room for Nick.
Making room for my life without the heavy weight of all. this. stuff.

All of this stuff—this is the Beast.

  

Walk in the Woods

One of our favorite places to walk: Cama Beach State Park

new view

I am trying to see things from a different perspective. Kevin's job has changed and he travels more often. Rusty, the Good Collie is nearly two and has become a great velcro dog - always by my side. All good. But...

I don't do well with change.

~sheesh~

So here's something consistent and magnificent. One of our amazing sunsets! That should take care of the blues. Replace them with warm oranges, reds and glorious rays of the sun, slowly setting in the west.

Happy Trails.

Art of the Garden

The Arts Council of Snohomish County (Everett, Washington) presents Art of the Garden.

July 8 — August 19th at the historic Monte Cristo Hotel Gallery.

Opening reception, Thursday, July 8th, 5pm to 8pm.

"Over 40 artists will showcase their work as part of this prolific offering of art created to enhance the garden and bring the garden into the home. Watercolors, pastels, glass, stone, sculpture and much more."

These bright, whimsical paintings are included:

ENCAUSTICS!

They are the little trouble-makers. I have had to move the encaustic-making area in the garage to make room for good ventilation, fans and wide open doors. Oh yeah. The Beast in the Studio?

Toxic FUMES!

Part of the Peace Garden series, each 'tile' is 5" x 5" cedar with bead embellishment on the edges. The design is first drawn, then wood-burned and carved. Then some paint added and finally the encaustic.

Golden Boy

Living on the west side of Camano Island, we enjoy colorful, vibrant, intense, artistic sunsets.

Rusty lounges in the orange glow of the June 28th sunset. With Summer upon us, the amber glow of the sun extends well into the night. On clear nights, the sky sometimes retains a soft warm light well past the time of the sun setting.

more stuff

We have a Light Table! Used one before in the 'olden' days in a print shop for paste up and graphic design. Type was sent to an actual typesetter. This table is about 26" x 37" and even after sitting in a barn, it works just fine. (Thanks, Richard and Sascha) Nick and I have plans: making stencils, tracing, drawing, viewing...

TV!!! (more writing)

Hippy Dippy Eco Peace Garden has been chosen to represent Everett's Garden Arts Festival, Sorticulture. It's in June (11th, 12th & 13th) in Legion Memorial Park along the waterfront. It's so exciting! I have had to send info for a press release and now for a spot on TV. HolyMoly!

This is what I wrote:

The patterns and colors of Hippy Dippy Eco Peace Garden have been with me since the late 1960s. The Beatles ("Yellow Submarine"), Peter Max (LOVE poster) and Woodstock were enormous influences for me. I also remember a story about a little boy in a village where everybody had a pointy head, except for him and his dog, Arrow. (told in Niilson's song, "Me and My Arrow" ) The 'point' of the story: be yourself.

As an over-thinker, the Peace Garden series is my therapy—a way to relax, breathe easy, and recall simpler times. The 'eco' part of the series is the enjoyment I have had in outdoor activities, playing in the dirt and most recently, planting vegetables—getting dirt under my fingernails and reaping the rewards of a well-tended garden. And Hippy Dippy? I was an Art Student in the 70s! The art comes easy when I just let myself be me.

I think Hippy Dippy Eco Peace Garden and Sorticulture are made for each other. Both celebrate life, art and the garden with lively, whimsical, positive energy.